Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
9.3 MANAGING STRESS
In the introduction to this topic, it was stated that the combination
of three basic elements determines which behavior we display. We
have our evolutionary inheritance that created our basic structure
(nature), our upbringing and education that taught us how to behave
(nurture), and the environment that influences the actual choice for
a specific behavioral option. Behavior is defined as dynamic: The
readiness to act safely or to take risks is not fixed, but can change
from moment to moment depending on the perceived challenges of
the environment.
Comfort
mode
High stress
mode
Amount of stress
In Chapter 6, we discussed the effect of stress on alertness. The con-
clusion is that too low and too high a stress level both lead to insuffi-
cient safety awareness. We either fall back in a too relaxed mode and
forget our safety behavior, or we get so stressed that we can
'
t use our
safety awareness anymore.
If the demands are low, the work can be done while being in a com-
fort zone. This leads to low alertness and a higher chance of mistakes.
The biggest problems with low-stress situations is that our conscious-
ness has so much time for daydreaming that we tend to be distracted
from our task. If something unexpected happens, we still are in a
relaxed mode and maybe too late to anticipate in the right way. Doing
dangerous tasks while being in a comfort mode is asking for trouble.
The wood sawer knows this.
High stress shuts down most internal safety systems.
